Create Ubuntu setup guide for new users #68
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This commit introduces a complete onboarding solution for new LabLink users, with a focus on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS compatibility and smooth user experience. New Features: - lablink.py: Comprehensive PyQt6 GUI launcher with: * LED-style status indicators (Green/Yellow/Red) for system health * Automatic environment compatibility checking * Dependency verification and auto-installation * One-click server/client launching * Interactive issue resolution with detailed diagnostics * Background checks for non-blocking UI * PEP 668 (externally-managed Python) handling * Virtual environment detection and creation - docs/UBUNTU_24.04_SETUP.md: Complete Ubuntu 24.04 setup guide with: * Quick start instructions for new users * Ubuntu 24.04 specific notes (PEP 668, Python 3.12, Wayland) * USB permissions setup for equipment communication * Firewall configuration * Comprehensive troubleshooting section * Manual installation alternatives - lablink.desktop: Desktop entry file for Ubuntu integration - README.md updates: * New "Quick Start" section highlighting GUI launcher * Links to Ubuntu 24.04 setup guide * LED indicator explanation * Improved organization with manual installation as alternative Technical Details: - LED indicators check: environment, system deps, server deps, client deps - Automatic detection of Qt libraries, USB libraries, NI-VISA - Smart handling of Ubuntu 24.04's externally-managed Python - Click-to-view-details dialogs for all status indicators - Graceful PyQt6 auto-installation if missing - Cross-platform launcher support (Linux terminal detection) This provides a significantly improved first-time user experience, especially for Ubuntu 24.04 users who may be unfamiliar with PEP 668 restrictions and lab equipment setup requirements.
Enhanced the LabLink GUI launcher to automatically detect and install missing system packages on Ubuntu/Debian systems, eliminating the need for manual apt commands. Changes to lablink.py: - Comprehensive system package checking (core, Qt, USB libraries) - Categorized package detection (critical vs optional) - Automatic installation using pkexec (graphical sudo prompt) - User-friendly confirmation dialogs before installation - Graceful fallback to manual instructions if pkexec unavailable - Added _check_command_exists() helper method - Enhanced _check_lib_installed() to support all package types Changes to docs/UBUNTU_24.04_SETUP.md: - Added "Option 1: Fully Automated" section (one-command setup) - Moved manual installation to "Option 2" (traditional approach) - Explained pkexec integration for graphical password prompts - Clarified that system packages can be auto-installed Changes to README.md: - Updated Quick Start with fully automated option first - Emphasized Ubuntu 24.04+ automatic package installation - Reorganized to show easiest path first - Added note about system package auto-installation capability User Experience Improvements: - New users can now run just: git clone + cd + python3 lablink.py - System packages (python3, git, Qt libs, USB libs) auto-detected - One-click fix button installs everything with password prompt - LED indicators show system package status separately - Clear error messages with manual fallback instructions Technical Details: - Uses pkexec for PolicyKit-based authentication (graphical) - Checks for apt package manager availability - Handles user cancellation gracefully - Provides detailed package categorization in status display - Re-checks system after installation to verify success This provides a truly seamless first-time setup experience for Ubuntu 24.04 users, reducing setup time from 10-15 minutes to under 2 minutes with just one command.
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Simplified launcher